Folding machine



sept. 15, 1936. i.,r M. KAHN 2054,42@

FOLDING MACHINE original Filed Ju1y` 8, 195o 2 sheets-she@ 1 [IVVENTOH Sept. 15, 1936. L. M.'KAHN FOLDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed July 8, 1930 INVENTO Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING MACHINE Ohio Application July 8, 1930, Serial No. 466,457 Renewed February 25, 1933 17 Claims.

This invention relates to folding machines and more particularly to the control mechanisms for machines adapted to fold fabric articles.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide for the automatic folding of fabric articles proportionally to their length.

Another object is to automatically select the ratio of fold depending upon the length of the article. A further object is to provide for the l actuation of the folding mechanism when the article is in folding relation thereto.

Another object is to insure positive, fool proof, automatic operation of the device for all Variations in sizes within the capacity of the machine and rapidity of feeding of said articles in succession.

These and other objects are attained by the type of device described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings forming a part thereof, the novel features and improvements being set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,

Figure l shows a side elevation of a folding machine embodying this invention.

Figure 2 shows an electric circuit diagram of the control mechanism embodied in this invention.

Mounted on frame I0 are rollers II, I2, and I3 which are driven through belting I4 by the motor I5. Tapes I6, I1 and I8 and system I9 are carried by these rollers and are adapted to transport fabric articles 20 fed between rollers I I past the folder 22 to be folded again. The folders 2I and 22 as here illustrated, comprise a kick-up device having a plurality of fingers adapted to move up between the tapes and'wedge the article between the rollers I2 and, I3 respectively. A solenoid and plunger 23 is here used as the pairs of actuating means for the folder 2I as the preferred construction.

The novel control mechanism here illustrated embodies the principle of balanced magnetic eld obtained by varying the number of turns of the electromagnetic coils creating the magnetic eld when a current is passed through the coils. The

control device will now be described.

A system of switches 24 and 25 are mounted respectively on each side of the folder 2I and switch 26 at the folder 2| so that they normally protrude between the tapes I6 and I1 in the path of the traveling articles 26. Switches 24 are pivoted at 21 and then these pivots are connected to'terminals 28. Another series of terminals 29 are normally contacted by the switches 24, but when the switches 24 are depressed, they break contact with terminals 29 and make contact with terminals 28. Each of terminals 29 is connected to one of the turns in the solenoid coils 30, 3| wound on the core 32. When the terminals 28 are contacted, the corresponding taps 5 on the coils 36 and 3I are open, and switches become connected in series.

The switches 25 on the other side of the folder 2| normally make no contact, but their pivots 33 are all interconnected to a common bus bar 10 which is connected to the return end of the source of power 34. Terminals 35 which are adapted to be contacted when the switches are depressed by the article, are connected to coils 36 and 3l of the counter balancing electromagnet 38. Be- 15 tween the magnets 32 and 38 is an armature 39 which is adapted to act as a circuit closing switch along with contactor 46 for the folder actuating solenoid 23.

The pivot of switch 26 is connected to the 20 switch 24 nearest the folder 2I and to the far ends of solenoids 3G and 31, the latter through the armature 4I of plunger 42, whereas the terminal 43 which it is adapted to contact when depressed by the article, is connected to the 25 source of power 34.

Coils 36 and 3| are adapted to be connected in parallel when the terminals 44, connected to the respective taps, are bridged by the bars 45 mounted on the plunger 36 when the plunger is 30 drawn up by the energized solenoid 41. When solenoid 41 is not energized the armature 48 on the plunger 46 connects the far end of solenoid 3I to the return end of the source of power 34. Plunger 42 is constructed similarly to plunger 35 46 so that terminals 49 are adapted to be bridged by bars 56 to connect the coils 36 and 31 in parallel when the plunger 42 is drawn up by coil 5I.

' The set of switches 24 are preferably divided into a number of groups by tapping terminals 28 40 as shown at 28' and 282, in order to measure the length of article 20 when its front end reaches switch 26 and thereby select the ratio of fold automatically as will be described later.

Terminal 2S is connected to terminals 52 and 45 54 of the double pole double throw switch 56, and terminals '28g is connected to terminals 53 and 55 of switch 56, the pole terminals 51 and 5B being connected to the coils 5I and 41 respectively. 50

The entire control equipment except the switches 24, 25, and 26 and their contactors may be enclosed in a container 59 remote from the folding machine, the connections from the switches being then led through conduits 6U. 55

The operation of the folding machine embodying the control device of the preferred construction hereinabove described is as followsi* Fabric articles are fed in succession between the roller and are carried at first between the tapes I6 and forward and past the folder 2| and then also between tapes and I8. The number of switches 24 along .the length of the article 20 are depressed. but no electric circuit is closed until the front end of article 20 depresses switch 26. At that moment the circuit 34-43- 26-4I-36-34 is closed and the pull coil 36 is energized so that pole 38 attracts the armature 39. This insures that the solenoid 23 is not energized because of the positive separation of contactors 39 and 40. If the rear end of the article lies between switch 26 and terminal 28', the circuit 34-43-26-21-28-24-29-3|-48-34 is also closed, energizing a portion of solenoid 3|, so that the magnetic force of magnet 32 is less than that of 38. The article proceeds, dropping off one of the switches 24 to increase the number of turns and hence the energization of coil 3| while its front end depresses the first switch 25 to decrease the energization of coil 36. The strength of magnet 38 is thus decreased and that of magnet 32 is increased until the latter is strong enough to draw armature 39 away from 38 to itself and thereby close contact 40. Thus solenoid 23 becomes'energized and actuates the kickup 2| to effect the folding of the article along its center line. Switches 24 and 25 are preferably so arranged that when the article has actuated a number of switches 25 after depressing switch 26, it will have released an equal number of switches 24 on the other side of the folder 2|, so that the degree of magnetization of poles 32 and 38 bythe energization of coils 3| and 36 respectively is in the same ratio as division of the article in its varying position over the folder 2|.

If the rear end of the article 20 falls between terminals 28 and 282 when its front end depresses switch 26 and switch 56 is clos-ed the article will be folded say one third of its length from one edgefrom the front edge if switch 56 contacts terminals 54, 55 and from the rear edge if terminals 52, 53 are contacted. In the former instance, for example solenoid 47 is energized, drawing plunger 46 up so that taps 44 are bridged by members 45, and solenoids 30 and 3| are connected in parallel, the armature 48 being likewise lifted to break the battery connection with coil 3|. Of course, when the circuit is first closed, all of coil 36 is in and none or only'a small portion of coils 30 and 3|; but for every switch 24 that is dropped double coil strength is introduced to magnetize pole 32 against the single strength reduction in the magnetizing flux of pole 38. Consequently, when twice as many switches 24 are depressed as are switches 25, two thirds of the article being on one side of the kickup 2| and one third on the other side thereof, pole 32 will attract armature 39 and close the solenoid 23 circuit to actuate the folding of the article, for the pole 32 will increase in strength twice as fast as the strength of pole 38 will decrease.

If the rear of the article extends beyond terminal 282 while its front end depresses switch 26, it is here preferred that the article be folded in half and then again in half. Since the depression of switches 24 between terminals 28 and 282 will cause one of the solenoids, say 41, to be energized to energize both solenoids 3U and 3|, solenoid must likewise be caused to be energized to similarly connect solenoids 36 and 31. Thus the rale of increase in the strength of pole 32 again becomes equal to the rate of decrease in the strength of pole 38, so that the article is folded in half, and when it continues in folded condition between rollers |2, I2 and then passes folder 22, it is again folded in half between the rollers I3, |3.

It will be of course noted that as soon as switch 26 is released, as when the article is drawn away by the rollers |2 in folded condition, the entire circuit is opened again, so that the next article followingl in succession within the space of one intervening switch 24, is again obliged to control the system. Moreover, regardless of size or rapidity of feed, only one article at a time controls the selection of its ratio of fold and actuates its folding. Furthermore, the herein mentioned ratios of fold are merely illustrative, for any number of different ratios may be incorporated upon the same principle.

Thus a device is obtained that iscompletely automatic and positive in its action, whereby articles of varying sizes fed successively into the folding machine select the ratio of the folding proportionate to their length and control the actuation of the folding mechanism when they have reached the folding position relative to the folding device,

It will thus be seen as the embodiments of the ,various features of this invention have been fully described, that they attain the various objects of the invention and are well suited to the requirements of practical use. Of course, many changes canbe made in the above construction. Also many widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof.

It is therefore intended that all matter contained in the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Accordingly, what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a device of the class described, in combination, mea-ns for conveying fabric articles, means for folding said articles, electromagnets in operative relation to said folding means and means actuated by said articles for varying the number of effective turns of the coils of said elcctromagnets to effect the actuation of said folding means.

2. In a folding machine adapted to fold fabric articles, a control device for actuating said folding mechanism, comprising electromagnets in operative relation to said folding mechanism and means actuated by said articles for `varying the relative strength of said electromagnets by varying the number of effective turns of the coils to effect the actuation of said folding mechanism.

3. In a device for folding fabric articles of varying sizes, the combination with a folding device of circuit controlling means adapted to be actuated by said articles, electro-magnets controlled by said means and means controlled by said electro-magnets for actuating said folding device to effect the folding of said articles in predetermined ratios of their length.

4. In a device for folding fabric articles of varying sizes, the combination with a folding mechanism of a pair of electromagnets, adapted to be actuated by and in proportion to the length of said articles, for Varying the number of effectivev means controlled by said electromagnets for actuating said folding mechanism to effect the folding of said articles in predetermined ratios of their length.

5. In a device for folding fabric articles of varying sizes, the combination with a folding mechanism of a pair of oppositely disposed electromagnets, a plurality of switches adapted to be actuated by said articles along the full length thereof, whereby the number of effective turns in the coils of said electromagnets may be varied, and means controlled by said electromagnets for actuating said folding mechanism.

6. In a device for folding fabric articles, a control mechanism therefor comprising in combination, a plurality of members on each side of said folding device adapted to be actuated by said articles, electromagnets controlled by each of said sets of members and means for actuating said folding device when a controlling article is in operative relation to said members.

7. In a device for folding fabric articles, a control mechanism therefor, comprising a plurality of switches in the path of said articles, electromagnetic circuits adapted to be balanced by actuation of said switches and means controlled by said switches for actuating said folding mechanism when said circuits have been balanced.

8. In a device for folding fabric articles a control mechanism therefor comprising a pair of sets of switches, one on each side of said folding mechanism, electromagnetic circuits adapted to be balanced by actuation of said switches and neans controlled by said switches for actuating said folding mechanism when said circuits have been balanced.

9. In a device of the class described in combination, means for conveying fabric articles, means for folding said articles, a plurality of members on each side of said folding means, electromagnetic circuits adapted to be balanced by actuation of said members and means controlled by said circuits for actuating said folding means.

10. In a folding machine adapted to fold fabric articles, a control device for actuating said folding mechanism comprising balancing means in operative relation to said folding mechanism and means actuated by said articles for varying the flow of energy into said balancing means to control the actuation of folding mechanism in accordance with the length of the article on each side of the folding means.

11. In a device for folding fabric articles of varying sizes in combination with a folding device of energy controlling means on opposite sides of said folding device adapted to be actuated by said articles, electro-magnets controlled by said .means and means controlled by said electro-magnets for actuating said folding device to eifect the folding of said article in predetermined ratios of its length.

12. In a device for folding fabric articles of varying sizes in combination with a. folding mechanism of a balancing device controlled by electrical energy and adapted to be actuated by and in proportion to the length of said articles as said articles pass on each side of said folding device for controlling the amount of energy in said balancing device and means controlled by the amount of energy in said balancing device for actuating said folding mechanism to effect the folding of said articles in predetermined ratios of their length.

13. In a device for folding fabric articles of varying sizes the combination of a folding device, switches on each side of said folding device, circuit controlling means for said switches, electrical contact balancing means, mea-ns for efiecting a counterbalance of said balancing means actuated by said controlling means lto actuate said folding means to fold said articles in a predetermined ratio in relation to said folding device.

14. In a device for folding fabric articles the combination of a folding device, members on each side of said folding device, electrical circuits controlled by said members, electromagnets, a pivoted contact member, controlled by said electromagnets, and electro-magnetic means energized upon the actuation of said pivoted member to actuate said folding device when a predeter-' mined ratio of the article is in relation to said members on each side of the folding device.

15. In a device of the class described in combination, means for conveying fabric articles, means for folding said articles, a contact member on each side of said folding means, electrical circuits, a pivotal contact, control means for moving said pivotal contact controlled by said contact members when the article to be folded is in predetermined relation on each side of said folding device and means caused by said pivotal contact member to actuate the folding means to cause a fold in an article.

16. In a device for folding fabric articles, the combination of a folding device, of members on each side of said folding device, circuit controlling means adapted to be actuated by said members, electromagnets, a pivotal contact switch, controlled by said members to register the ratio of length of an article aiTecting said members and means to actuate the folding means when said pivotal contact switch controlled by said members registers the predetermined ratio of the length of an article on each side of said folding device.

17. In a folding machine of the class described in combination, means for conveying fabric articles, means for folding said articles, electrical contacting means engaged by said articles, a counterbalancing device controlled by electrical energy and means controlled by said counterbalancing device to control said folding device to make a fold in an article in ratio to its length.

LEO M. KAHN. 

